Florida had the highest number of lightning loss claims in the U.S. last year, according to new data.
Holeman
| III
The Insurance Information Institute (III) found that more than $950 million in U.S. homeowners insurance claims caused by lightning were paid out in 2022 to 62,000-plus policyholders.
“While Florida has the highest claim count, the average claim cost is much lower than other states,” said Scott Holeman, a spokesperson with the III.
Some $77.3 million in lightning claims costs are attributable to Florida and $125 million are attributable to California.
“The cost of rebuilding is higher in California,” Holeman told the Florida Record. “Also, claim frequency is not the same as claim severity. California wildfires, many caused by lightning, have caused significant damage during the last several years.”
The data on national insurance claims was compiled in honor of Lightning Safety Awareness Week, which started on June 18 and ends on June 24.
“Lightning Safety Awareness Week highlights the dangers lightning poses to life and property and how insurers and policyholders are reducing these risks," said Sean Kevelighan, CEO of III.
Overall, the number of lightning-caused U.S. homeowners insurance claims increased by 2.2 percent between 2021 and 2022.
"Some scientific reports show that as temperatures rise, so do the number of lightning strikes,” Holeman said in an interview. “Some data also suggest that hurricanes and snowstorms can also significantly raise lightning activity.”
The Insurance Information Institute further found that the cost of an average lightning damage claim in Florida was $14,562 last year compared to $16,552 in 2021, which is a decrease of $1,990. Georgia landed in second place with an average lightning claim cost of $12,665 followed by $25,286 in Texas.
“We saw decreases everywhere, so it's likely a change in weather patterns,” Holeman said.
Nationwide, III data shows a 29% decrease in the cost of insurance claims caused by lightning from $21,578 in 2021 to $15,280 in 2022.
Damage created by lightning can include fire, which is covered by standard homeowners and business insurance policies.
"Some home and business insurance policies provide coverage for power surges that are the result of lightning strikes," Holeman added. "A comprehensive auto insurance policy will also provide coverage for vehicles."
Severe convective storms are among the most common, and most damaging natural catastrophes in the United States, according to a press release.
They manifest in various ways, such as lightning-laced thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, and straight-line winds depending on atmospheric conditions.
“Insurers are moving toward predicting and preventing losses by advocating for resilience in coordination with the real-time application of technology,” Kevelighan added.